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Day 1: Departure from US

Today we embark on our Journey to the lands of ancient treasures and Christian history with an overnight flight to Athens. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where the apostles walked!

Day 2: Arrive Athens

We arrive in Athens and check into our hotel. You will have the remainder of the day free to relax or take a stroll along the streets of Athens to enjoy the flavor of the city.

Day 3: Athens

Following breakfast this morning we tour Athens, the foundation of democracy. We visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and Erectheum before viewing Athens atop Mars Hill where Paul stood and preached the truth to the Gentile nation. From atop Mars Hill we view the Agora below, the ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life. Additional sites viewed during our panoramic bus tour are, the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Olympic Stadium, and Presidential Palace. An option later this afternoon is a visit to the famous Plaka with a multitude of shops and cafes. Our lodging is in Athens for the evening.

Day 4: Corinth & Mycenae

Following breakfast this morning we depart Athens. We immediately travel west with a rest stop and photos at the Corinth Canal. We then travel to the ancient city of Corinth, another treat for the New Testament scholar. Corinth is the city that inspired many of Paul's most familiar letters. See the Archaeological Museum, the Market Place, the Bema, and the Temples. To enjoy a devotional in the midst of the ruins of the church of Corinth and see the pillars, steps, and public worship place where Paul preached will enhance your understanding and love of I & II Corinthians. The ruins of this important cultural center are fascinating as we walk along the stone path that the Apostle Paul walked. The engineering skill and intellect of these people are evident in the water systems that still flow from ancient to modern day. Our guide will be sure to show you the room dedicated to the medical care of that period. After the visit to ancient Corinth we travel to Mycenae where the remains of the ancient city date back to the Bronze Age to see the famous Lionesse Gate, the Tomb of Agamemnon in the shape of a Beehive. Overnight in Nafplion.

Day 5: Olympia

We travel west to Olympia to visit the archaeological site including the remains of the original Olympic Games stadium and ancient temples. We also visit the nearby Museum of the Olympic Games to learn more about the history of the area. Overnight in Olympia.

Day 6: Delphi, Meteora Monastery

This morning we visit the ruins of Delphi including the Temple of Apollo and the Byzantine Church of Agia Eleousa. We continue through the mountains to Meteora. Here we see the world famous Byzantine monasteries that are perched precariously on summits of gray rock pinnacles of varied and beautiful shapes. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. Our lodging this evening will be in Meteora.

Day 7: Vergina, Berea, Thessalonica

Traveling north this morning, our first stop will be a visit to King Phillip's (Alexander's father) tomb in Vergina, one of the most outstanding finds in all of Greece. We then make the short trip to nearby Berea to view the synagogue where Paul preached. We stop at the Bema surrounded by mosaics of Paul and the plaque of scripture regarding the "more noble" church. The New Testament books of I & II Thessalonians will come alive to us today as we arrive in the delightful harbor city of Thessalonica. En route to the hotel we will view the old city ramparts; the newly excavated Forum, St. George Church, an ancient Roman monument which was transformed into a church and the Galerius Arch which rises over the famous Via Egnatia. We spend two nights here.

Day 8: Thessalonica/Philippi/Kavala

We begin the day by following the massive battlement Byzantine wall to the citadel for a panoramic view of the city. Next, we will visit Philippi and Kavala. Kavala is Greece's prettiest mainland port with a most elegant harbor. Paul landed here with his disciples, Timothy and Silas. Luke, the Evangelist, also came here from Troas. This ancient city of Neapolis was later renamed Christoupolis because it was the first European city to accept Christianity. Imagine walking on the same sod as these men of the Bible! We will see the Roman Aqueduct and the ruins of the Acropolis in this beautifully located city, known since the 5th century as Kavala. Continue on to Philippi where Paul preached his first evangelical sermon and baptized the first Christians on European soil. We will view the baptismal site where Lydia surrendered her life to Christ and visit a crypt dating from the Roman period that is thought to have served as a prison for Paul. See the famous Acropolis, the Market Place, Basilica, and the Theatre. We return to Thessalonica and visit St. Demetrius Basilica, dedicated to a distinguished member of the Roman army and a martyred Christian convert, before returning to the hotel for our final night.

Day 9: Munich

We transfer to the Thessalonica airport for our flight to Germany. Arrival into the Munich airport. Enjoy a tour of the city. Our sightseeing begins with a driving tour of Munich including outside views of the Olympic Stadium, Pinakotheken art museums, Royal Palace (Residenz), National Theater, and the world famous Hofbräuhaus. Take a walking tour of the Marienplatz which lies at the heart of the Alstadt in the city center. This lively, attractive square houses the Gothic New Town hall (Neue Rathaus) with its famous Glockenspiel and the Old Town Hall. We transfer to the Munich hotel for check in and dinner.

Day 10: Neuschwanstein

We have some free time this morning to explore Munich on our own. Late this morning transfer from the hotel to the fairy-tale castle, Neuschwanstein Castle. We take a guided tour of Ludwig II's most luxurious former residence where the interior styles range from Byzantine to Romanesque to Gothic. This castle, built between 1869 and 1886, has a most impressive view with the Alpsee Lake below and the Alps towering above. We continue to the Pilgrimage Church of Wies to visit this oval Rococo style church which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From here we continue to Oberammergau or surrounding area for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 11: Passion Play Performance

This morning we will have some free time to enjoy the delightful village of Oberammergau with outstanding opportunities for photos and shopping. This afternoon and evening we enjoy the Passion Play production. The play depicts the story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the resurrection and transfiguration, a moving and spectacular experience. Each performance starts at 2:30 PM (1:30 PM start time after August 17th) and ends approximately 10:30 PM (9:30 PM after August 17th), with a three-hour included dinner break/intermission from 5:00 to 8:00 PM (4:00 to 7:00 PM after August 17th). We stay overnight in Oberammergau or surrounding area.

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